1、考博英语模拟试卷 61及答案与解析 一、 Reading Comprehension 0 Microwaves are a type of electromagnetic radiation; they are a very mild form of electrical or magnetic wave that moves through space. Unlike X-rays and gamma rays, which are very powerful rays of radiation, microwaves are rather weak and are much more li
2、ke the waves of radiation used in radio broadcasting. In microwave ovens, the use of microwaves with which most people me familiar, the waves are produced by an electronic tube called a magnetron. Microwaves produce heat in any food placed inside the oven by causing the water in the food to vibrate
3、rapidly and thus heat up. Food that have more water in them take less time to cook and probably have more of their nutrients left intact when cooked in a microwave oven. Microwaves do not pass through metal, so the microwaves are retained within the oven. Microwaves pass immediately through glass, p
4、aper, and plastic with no effect on these materials or on the microwaves; nothing inside the microwave oven is heated except the food itself, so cooking process is much more efficient than in conventional ovens. Sometimes a pan or container is heated because it is touching the hot food, though: some
5、 users of microwave oven have been burned by but food, by hot pans, or steam escaping from the food. No documented case of radiation burns born a microwave oven has ever been reported. Actually, we know very little about how microwave radiation might affect human beings. Obviously, if microwave can
6、cook a roast by exciting the water molecules in the meat, they could do the same thing to human flesh. Human being could be burned by prolonged exposure to high levels of microwaves. But scientists are more concerned about the effects of low level microwave exposures, such as might result from a lea
7、king microwave oven. No research has yet been performed on people who have been exposed to low level microwave radiation. Some experiments have been performed on animals, but the results are very difficult to interpret. As the eyes are particularly sensitive, rabbits exposed to low level microwaves
8、were checked for the growth of cataracts, and none were found. On the other hand, some animals seem able to sense microwave radiation and try to escape from it immediately. In others, microwave radiation causes the body to react as if defending itself against a decease. These responses lead some sci
9、entists to think that microwave radiation is harmful, though in some yet undiscovered way. 1 The purpose of this passage is to discuss _. （ A） the beneficial use of microwaves （ B） the harmful effects of microwaves （ C） the modern methods of cooking （ D） the use and possible harmful effects of micro
10、waves 2 Microwaves are _. （ A） absolutely safe at low levels （ B） very efficient for cooking （ C） cancer-causing iii people with weak eyes （ D） completely understood by scientists 3 We can conclude from this passage that _. （ A） the heat created in microwave ovens is very difficult to control （ B） f
11、ood tastes better when cooked in a microwave oven （ C） food cooked in microwave ovens is probably more nutritious than food cooked in more conventional ways （ D） most research on the effects of microwaves on human beings has been restricted to the study of low level microwave radiation 4 The author
12、s tone is _. （ A） objective （ B） sarcastic （ C） negative （ D） skeptical 5 As used in the 3ut paragraph of this passage, the word “documnted“ means _. （ A） numbered （ B） recorded （ C） legal （ D） believable 5 Two system of weights and measures exist in the U. S. today: the U. S. Customary System and t
13、he International System of Units (IS, after the initials of International System). IS, commonly referred to as the metric system, is actually a more complete, coherent version of it. Throughout U. S. history, the Customary System (inherited from, but now different from, the British Imperial System)
14、has been customarily used; a plethora of federal and state legislation has given it, through implication, standing as the primary weights and measures system. The metric system, however, is the only system that Congress bus ever specifically sanctioned. An 1866 law reads: It shall be lawful througho
15、ut the United States of America to employ the weights and measures of the metric system; and no contract or dealing or pleading on any court, shall be deemed invalid or liable to objection because the weights or measures expressed or referred to therein are weights or measures of the metric system.
16、Since that time, use of the metric system in the U. S. has slowly and steadily increased, particularly in the scientific community, in the pharmaceutical industry, and in the manufacturing sectorthe metric system is now predominantly used. On Feb. 10, 1964, the National Bureau of Standards (now know
17、n as the National Institute of Standards and Technology) issued the following bulletin: Henceforce it shall be the policy of the National Bureau of Standards to use the units of the International system (iS), as adopted by the 11th General Confference on Weights and Measures (October 1960), except w
18、hen the use of these units would obviously impair communicator or reduce the usefulness of a report. On Dec. 23, 1975, Pres. Gerald R. Ford signed the Metric Conversion Act of 1975. It defines the metric system as being the International System of Units as interpreted in the U. S. by the secretary o
19、f commerce. The Trade Act of 1988 and other legislation declare the metric system the preferred system of weights and measures for U. S. trade and commerce, call for the federal government to adopt metric specifications, and mandate the Commerce Dept. to oversee the program, the conversion process i
20、s currently underway: however, the metric system has not become the system of choice for most American daily use. The following seven units serve as the base for the International System: length-meter; masskilogram; time second; electric current-ampere; thermodynamic temperature-kelvin; amount of su
21、bstance-mole; and luminous intensity-candela 6 Two systems of weights and measures used in the U.S. are _. （ A） the U. S. Customary System and the metric system （ B） the International System and the metric system （ C） the Imperial System and the metric system （ D） the Customary System and the Imperi
22、al system 7 Which of the following state statements is NOT true? （ A） The Customary System originated from the British Imperial System. （ B） The Customary System has just been used in daily time. （ C） The metric system was specifically sanctioned by Congress in 1866. （ D） From 1964, using the units
23、of the International System has been the policy of the National Bureau of Standards. 8 Which of the following is a true statement? （ A） Since 1866, use of the metric system in the U.S. has been increasing. （ B） Since 1988, the metric system has been the preferred system of weights and measures for U
24、.S. trade and life. （ C） In 1988, Congress passed a law to prevent the use of the Customary System in trade and commerce. （ D） On Dec. 23, 1975, Pres. Gerald R. Ford signed the Metric Conversion Act of 1975 to adopt the metric system in the U. S. 9 Which unit belongs to the Customary System? （ A） me
25、ter （ B） kilogram （ C） second （ D） foot 10 Which of the following is the probable title of the passage? （ A） The British Imperial System. （ B） The Customary System. （ C） The International System of Units. （ D） The Metric System. 10 According to the 28th annual survey of college freshmen conducted by
26、 the American Council on Education and UCLA( University of California at Los Angeles), 65% of college freshmen planned to seek advanced degrees. For the first time in tile history of the survey, women were more likely than men to pursue all major types of advanced degrees (master s, doctorate, medic
27、ine, and law). In 1967, 3 times as many men as women sought a high-level degree. In 1993, more women than men sought such degrees. Finances continued to matter in 1993. College freshmen reported, a “very important“ reason for attending college was “to be able to make more money“ or “to get a better
28、job“. Financial consideration were key in college selection. “Low tuition“ was said to be a “very important“ reason for choosing a college as was a student s being offered financial assistance. In 1993, more freshmen than ever depended on federal loans for financial assistance. Additionally, a recor
29、d number of freshmen (5.6%) expected to work full-time while attending college. A record number of students applied to 4 or more colleges, which indicated increasing competitive pressures. Survey results suggest that college freshmen feel increasingly stressed. High percentage reported that frequent
30、ly “felt overwhelmed by all I have to do“ and frequently “felt depressed“. Students self-ratings on “emotional health“ and “physical heath“ reached all-time lows. Problems at home may be a cause; record high percentages of freshmen reported their father s occupation as “unemployed“ (3.7 % ). For the
31、 6th straight year, college freshmen showed strong interest in health professions. In contrast, for the same period students interest in business fields continued to decline ( 16.1%, a decrease from 16.3% in 1992). College freshmen were more likely to identify themselves as being to the left or to t
32、he right of the political center, with those claiming to be “middle of the road“ falling below half (49.9% for the first time since 1972 ). Although this movement from the center went to both the left and the right, the right picked up the majority, increasing 2.5 percentage points to 22.9%. The per
33、centage on the left was the highest since 1976 at 27.2%. A record high percentage of college freshmen (81.8%, an increase from 80.4% in 1992) supported greater efforts to control handguns. Additionally, students support for raising taxes to reduce the federal deficit) hit an all-time high (31.4%, an
34、 increase from 26.9% in 1992). For the 6th successive year, student support for legislation to outlaw homosexuality declined (36.2%, a decrease from 37.6% in 1992). Support for the legislation of marijuana also increased for the 4th straight year (28.2%, compares with 23% in 1992). 11 According to t
35、he 28th annual survey of college freshmen conducted by the American Council on Education UCLA, _. （ A） more than half of college freshmen planned to seek advanced degrees （ B） men, for the first time in the history of the survey, were more likely than women to pursue ail major types of advanced degr
36、ees （ C） in 1993, more men than women sought such degrees （ D） both A and C 12 The reason for attending college was_. （ A） to be able to make more money （ B） to be able to make a good college selection （ C） to be able to get financial assistance （ D） to be able to work full-time 13 Students self-rat
37、ing on “emotional health“ and “physical health“ reached all-lime lows. The reason may be _. （ A） the increasing competitive pressures （ B） problems at home （ C） increasing stress （ D） strong interest in health protessions 14 Which of the following statements is true? （ A） Students were becoming more
38、 and more interested in business fields. （ B） College freshmen were becoming more and more indifferent to politics. （ C） Students were giving more and more support for handgun control. （ D） Students were giving more and more support for legislation to out law homosexuality and marijuana. 15 Which of
39、 the following may be the probable title for the passage? （ A） College Freshmen Attitudes. （ B） College Freshmen Finances. （ C） College Freshmen Future Professions. （ D） College Freshmen Survey. 15 Few events in modern Japan s recent history have been anticipated with greater interest and expectatio
40、n than the so-called “Big Bang“ financial reforms that will come into effect next April. Named after the restructuring of the securities industry that took place in London during the late 19g0s, these reforms are intended to revitalize not only Japan s securities industry, but the entire financial s
41、ector as well. In addition, they will open Japan to increased-and possibly severe-competition from foreign financial institutions, which will be able to compete in the Japanese domestic market on a level playing field for the first time. Some foreign analysts are skeptical about the government s res
42、olve to push through the kind of large-scale, targeted measures needed to reform Japan g ailing financial system. In contrast, the German-born Koll believes government officials are “dead serious about Big Bang.“ “Big Bang will restore Japans entire financial system.“ he says. “And although it takes
43、 its name from the London reforms of the late 1980s, it is in fact much bigger and far more comprehensive than what occurred in London,“ he adds. The London reforms, he points out, consolidated only the securities industry, bringing together brokers, jobbers, price makers and others, Japans Big Bang
44、, on the other hand, focuses not just on the securities industry but on banks, life insurance companies and public financial institutions. “By the year 2001, Japan s financial system will resemble very closely the current financial system in the U. S.“ Koll explains. “The entire financial system is
45、becoming Anglo-American.“ Big Bang, which is to be completed by 2001, includes reforms that would allow financial institutions to further cuter one another s business spheres and reduce a wide range of restrictions limiting free and open competition. The most dramatic developments are expected to ta
46、ke place in asset management and securities trading. For example, under a deregulation timetable established last July, securities companies ale now permitted to marked cash management accounts that offer dealing in securities along with banking and checking services. Next April, banks will be allow
47、ed to offer mutual funds. The climax will come ill April 2001 , when full liberalization takes effect, including, most numbly, the introduction of insurance products by banks. Reforming Japan s financial system has been in the air since the early 1980s. Some critics have complained that previous eff
48、orts have slow, frequently fragmented by low political resolve and largely unsatisfactory to foreign financial institutions seeking greater market access in Japan. But the current mood, as Koll points out, is dead serious, focused arid motivated. The risk for Japanese financial institutions from Big
49、 Bang reforms is that about a third of them will not exist in their current form by the year 2001, Koll warns. “There will be massive restructuring through mergers and holding companies and through bankruptcies. But those that survive will be stronger, more focused and better able to compete in the global financial market.“ “So the bottom line is that the opportunities will outweigh the risks and Big Bang could be a big boom for Japanese financial institutions,“ he concludes. 16 From the passage, we can infer that “big bang“
